Numerous delegations are sent abroad to make contributions to the development of inter-parliamentary relations, to participate in international meetings, conferences and seminars, and to participate in the activities of international parliamentary assemblies.

Full members and substitute members for the outgoing delegations to represent the GNAT are nominated according to the internal regulations of their political party groups. The candidates are deemed elected by submitting their names to the Plenary.

The political party groups’ share of the number of members in the outgoing delegations is decided by the Office of the Speaker according to the powers of the political party groups. Specified numbers and rates can be objected to within three days. These objections are finalized by the Bureau of the Assembly. A political party group can give up its own membership in favor of other political party groups. In case the Speaker of the Assembly heads the outgoing delegation, the number of memberships reserved for the political party group to which the Speaker belongs cannot be reduced.

Members of the outgoing delegations elect the head of the delegation among themselves by votes of the absolute majority of total members. The head of the delegation takes measures for the delegation to implement its duty of representation. The head of the delegation submits a report related to activities of the delegation to the Speaker.

Pursuant to Article 6 of the Law on the Regulation of Foreign Relations of the Assembly, the decision on whether the invitation is accepted or not is taken in the Plenary and the Speaker informs his or her addressee of the aforementioned decision through diplomatic channels.

Congresses and conferences are regulated by Article 9 of the above-mentioned law. Decisions on international congresses and conferences held by foreign parliaments, governments, or international institutions in which the Assembly is requested to take part with a delegation are taken by the Plenary and the relevant decision is conveyed to his or her addressee by the Speaker through diplomatic channels.

Regarding an invitation addressed to a specified name, the delegation is deemed elected by approval of the Plenary upon an affirmative statement of the Office of the Speaker provided that the percentage of the political party groups is taken into consideration in the composition of the delegation.

According to Article 10 of the Law on the Regulation of Foreign Relations of the Assembly, the Plenary decides to send a delegation abroad to promote our national interests properly and to make contact with foreign parliamentarians to provide the necessary support in the matters pertaining to the foreign policy of Turkey upon the opinion and proposal of the Bureau of the Assembly in case the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deems it necessary.

Special laws establishing the parliamentary committees grant the right to work abroad when it is considered necessary to do so.

The Committee on Human Rights Inquiry, the Committee on EU Harmonization, and the Committee on Equal Opportunity for Women and Men decide to send delegations abroad after they have the written approval of the Speaker.

Moreover, Turkey’s delegations to international parliamentary assemblies go abroad to participate in plenary and committee meetings.

Delegations receive the necessary information and assistance from the executive bodies before going abroad.